Between the 2009 Winter Classic and last year’s Stadium Series win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, one can call the Chicago Blackhawks borderline “veterans” of outdoor games. They still seem pretty excited about facing the Washington Capitals in the 2015 Winter Classic, even if CSNChicago.com passes along word that they’re unsure it will top Chicago hosting an outdoor contest.

“It was fantastic, just being out there. Just arriving at the stadium and realizing what kind of weather it was going to be,” Niklas Hjalmarsson said. “During the game it was pretty funny actually, I thought it was hilarious to play like that. Tough to explain, but it’s surreal. Coming out before the game, seeing all the people there and all the snow coming down. That was definitely one of the most fun games I’ve ever played.”

“So I’m looking forward to next year, but I don’t think it’s going to be as fun as it was in Chicago. It’s going to be pretty tough to beat, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Consider the gauntlet thrown down on the Washington Capitals and D.C. in general to top that “snow globe” atmosphere in Chicago, then … or at least found some other way to add their own.

Bloomfield last season’s over turn the page already. Be thankful the Kings were LUCKY enough to win the cup and move on already! Just think maybe if the Kings win another cup maybe a few more people might actually care about the Kings,….nah! Cup Champs and NO ONE CARES

patthehockeyfan - Jul 21, 2014 at 6:25 AM

Wrong on two counts.

Plenty of us care about the Kings.

Secondly, what you saw was skill, not luck.

I can’t see how you call yourself a hockey fan. Hockey fans acknowledge another team’s winning the Cup. They may not like it; but, they’re smart enough to recognize it. Maybe you should change your screen name to sourgrapessomething.

esracerx46 - Jul 21, 2014 at 8:48 AM

Sigh. So that game 7 it winner in Chicago was skill….let’s break down the last few seconds shall we?

Leddy has his stick slashed out of his hands by a kings player. Puck goes behind Crawford. Leddy circles to the front of the net and picks up his stick as Martinez gets the puck. Leddy attempts to block, but the puck deflects off of him and past Crawford. That sounds like a pretty lucky play to me. If the Kings do get called for slashing the kings not only don’t score. But the Hawks might have. Could gave been a totally different outcome.

patthehockeyfan - Jul 21, 2014 at 9:00 AM

Coulda, woulda, shoulda.

You’re talking just one play. There are tons of penalties either not seen nor called by the officials. This was one. Just one.

Same as a colleague of mine here who is a Rangers’ fan and who said that the Kings were lucky to have won the Cup. His explanation was the non-call for goalie interference. One goal. Kings won the Stanley Cup 4 games to 1, and he’s screaming about one goal. One goal, mind you, that still left the Rangers up in that game 2 to 1. I don’t believe in the phrase ‘momentum shift.’ The Rangers were still ahead, and, if the Kings gained momentum from that goal, the Rangers should have also gained momentum and played a tighter defense.

I also don’t believe in luck. I, and probably a few others, define luck as preparation meets opportunity.

Don’t get me wrong. I like the ‘Hawks, and believe that the WCFs were really the SC Finals. Two very, very good teams, and a great series.

The Kings are said to be built for the playoffs. Coming back from a 3 – 0 deficit against San Jose required skill, determination, and a belief in themselves that they could do it. Not luck.

Still waiting for one here in MN…Wild/Hawks would be a great matchup for an outdoor game. Would be pretty sweet if they did it on Hockey Day Minnesota if it’s not the classic. There would be outdoor hockey at all 3 levels (HS, College, NHL). Would be pretty cool I think.

I’m a Flyers fan and I could care less if they play in another Winter Classic. I just want to see some fresh blood given the opportunity. It seems Chicago, Washington, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Philly have received a couple of games whereas Colorado, Minnesota would be ideal for a game by this point.

However, IF the Flyers are to play in another Winter Classic it better be VS Pittsburgh in Penn State. It’s in the middle of the state of the biggest rivalry. Other than that 1 game, how about some teams that haven’t played?

The Sabres owner basically owns the rights to Penn State Hockey since he built their Brand New Hockey Arena. (Its Very nice I must say myself). Sadly the only winter classic that will take place now will include a terrible team from Buffalo New York instead of the Two Keystone State teams whose rivalry will go the test of time in one of the greatest football stadiums in the world.